Shoe grip



Nov. 4, 1941. T. G. yYOUMANS .2,261,785

SHOE GRIP Filed May 51, 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 1 Inventor Jag?.

Attorney Nov. 4, 1941. T. G. YouMANs SHOE GRIP Filed May 31, 1941 2sheets-shet 2 Inventor A ttoruey Patented Nov. 4, 1941 oFFlcE:

SHOE GRIP l Thomas Grant Youmans, Hillcrest, Wilmington, Del.

Application May 31, 1941, Serial No. 396,210

4 Claims.

This invention relates to shoe grips of a generally similar nature tothat constituting the subject matter of my United States Patent No.1,875,195, issued on September 6, 1932; upon which the present deviceconstitutes an improvement- An important object of this invention is toprovide a shoe grip of the character described comprising a plate whichis particularly intended for use with molded shoe soles of variousplasics.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide a shoe gripof the aforementioned character which includes unique means for firmlysecuring the plate in position on the sole.

Still another very important object of the invention is to provide animproved shoe grip of a construction which is such as to materiallypromote comfort at all times.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved shoe grip ofthe character set forth which will be comparatively simple inconstruction, strong, durable, highly eicient and reliable in use,compact, light in weight, attractive in appearance and which may bemanufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswherein like characters of reference designate corresponding partsthroughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a bottom plan View of a shoe grip constructed in accordancewith the present invention Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof, the shoesole beign indicated in broken lines.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical longitudinal section through the circularplate and the attaching means.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View through the plate and the attachingmeans.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in vertical longitudinal section, takensubstantially on the line 5 5 of Figure l.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View in cross-section, taken substantially onthe line 6 6 of Figure 1.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary viewin section, taken substantially on theline 'I I of Figure 2.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it Will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises amolded sole I of plastic or other suitable material. The

on the lower face of said sole, a convexity 2., This is illustrated toadvantage in Figures 5 and 6 of the drawings.

Mounted on the convexity 2 of the molded sole I is a substantiallyconcavo-convex circular plate 3 of stainless steel or other suitablemetal. Rigidly secured in the circular plate 3 and projecting downwardlytherefrom is an anchoring pivotal point 4 which is adapted to be driveninto the ground. The plate 3 includes a substantially flat marginalflange 5 which preferably is slightly countersunk in the lower face ofthe sole I.

The plate 3 further includes a pair of downwardly pressed arcuate ribsor the like 6 on opposite sides of the point 4 and concentric therewith.The ribs 6 are of substantially the crosssectional shape showed toadvantage in Figure 6 of the drawings. Further, the ribs 6 taper towardtheir ends and merge gradually into the plate 3. The spaces formed inthe upper side of the plate 3 by the pressed ribs 'are filled by thematerial of the sole I.

Mounted on the flange 5 of the plate 3 is a substantially corrugated orundulated metallic ring 8 which is embedded in the sole I. The ring 8 isspot welded at spaced points 9 to the flange 5. Openings II) areprovided in the ring 8 for the reception of the material of the sole I.Thus, the plate 3 is firmly attached to the sole I at the time said soleis molded,

The construction and arrangement is such as to provide maximum comfortat all times. The invention is intended particularly for incorporationin golf and other sport shoes. When making a swing the player pivots onthe point 4, the arrangement of the ribs 6 being such as to createcomparatively little or no resistance to rotary or turning movement ofthe plate 3 While providing maximum grip or traction against slippage.The formation of the plate 3 and the ribs 6 is also such as tofacilitate walking, the foot rocking on a line drawn transversely acrosssaid ribs and the central portion of said plate.

It is believed that the many advantages of a shoe grip constructed inaccordance with the present invention will be readily understood andalthough a preferred embodiment of the improved device is as illustratedand described, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction may be resorted to which will fall Within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

l. An improved grip of the character described ball DOltOn 0f the S016iS fOrmed t0 Provide, 55 comprising a molded plastic shoe sole includingan integral 'convexity on its lower face, a substantially concavo-convexcircular plate mounted on said convexity, a centrally located pivotalpoint depending from said plate, a plurality of arcuate ribs presseddownwardly from the plate on opposite sides of said pivotal point andconcentric therewith, and means for securing the plate to the sole.

2. An improved grip of the character described comprising a moldedplastic shoe sole including an integral conveXity on its lower face, asubstantially concavo-convex circular plate mounted.

a sole, a substantially concavo-convex circular metallic plate mountedon the ball portion of the lower face of said sole, said plate includinga substantially flat marginal ange, and a substantially undulatedmetallic ring fixed, at spaced points, to said flange and embedded inthe sole for attaching the plate thereto.

4. A shoe grip of the class described comprising a molded ysoleincluding a convexity on the ball portion of its lower face, asubstantially concavo-convex metallic plate mounted on said convexityand including a substantially flat marginal ange, a pivotal pointmounted centrally on the plate and projecting downwardly therefrom, saidplate further including a pair of arcuate, tapering downwardly pressedribs on opposite sides of the pivotal point and concentric therewith,and a substantially undulated ring of metal xed, at spaced points, tothe flange and embedded in the sole for attaching the plate thereto.

THOMAS GRANT YOUMANS.

